Football aims for victory. Some teams have showcased their talent in winning silverware. In the history of English football, numerous teams have succeeded with major titles such as the First Division/Premier League, FA Cup, and more. However, to be regarded as having major honors, specific rules must be adhered to. Bestsoccertips.com has ranked the top 10 most successful english clubs with the most major honors, based on competitions like the Champions League and Europa League, while excluding tournaments like the Community Shield or FIFA Club World Cup.
Top 10 most successful clubs in English football:
1. Liverpool (Titles: 46)
The Reds are the English club with the most major honors in football history, surpassing their closest rivals by 3 titles following their Carabao Cup triumph over Chelsea in February 2024. Jurgen Klopp leads Liverpool to the top of this list as the German manager has won the Premier League, Champions League, and both domestic cup competitions during his illustrious tenure at Anfield.
Liverpool once dominated both England and Europe, especially during the 1970s and 1980s. In the Premier League era, trophies started to dry up for the Merseyside team, although a treble in 2001 – including the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup – helped solidify their position at the summit.
2. Manchester United (Titles: 43)
Manchester United fans will forever be grateful for the immense success Sir Alex Ferguson brought to the club after the former Aberdeen boss dominated the Premier League with the Red Devils. Each of the 13 Premier League titles the club has won belongs to the Scotsman.
They were a major club before their legendary manager took over, having won the top-flight English league seven times before the Premier League’s inception in 1992. United have had less success in Europe compared to Liverpool, winning three Champions League titles and one Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
3. Arsenal (Titles: 30)
It’s been two decades since Arsenal last lifted the biggest trophy in English football. That victory is perhaps the most impressive success the competition has ever witnessed as Arsene Wenger’s star-studded squad – featuring the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Robert Pires – claimed the title without tasting defeat in any match.
The Invincibles remain the last Arsenal team to win the Premier League, but the North London club has increased their tally to 30 with numerous successes in the FA Cup since then. The past decade has seen Arsenal lift the FA Cup trophy five times, with the most recent being Mikel Arteta’s first silverware as manager.
4. Manchester City (Titles: 26)
Manchester City clinched their first-ever Champions League title in June 2023 after defeating Inter Milan in Istanbul. Rodri’s solitary goal in the match helped Pep Guardiola’s side secure a 1-0 victory. City also won the Premier League and FA Cup in the 2022/23 season, completing a historic treble.
The Citizens have now surpassed Chelsea and stand fourth when it comes to English clubs with the most major honors in football history. They are now only four major honors behind Arsenal, who sit in third place. But they still have a long way to catch up to Manchester United and Liverpool. The reigning champions have won the Premier League seven times, and their dominance seems likely to continue in the near future.
5. Chelsea (Titles: 25)
Chelsea achieved moderate success before Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took over the club in July 2003. A First Division title and a few domestic cup triumphs still remain notable achievements in the trophy cabinet, but the appointment of Jose Mourinho in 2004 was the real turning point in The Blues’ success.
The Portuguese manager was the first to be granted an extremely healthy transfer budget at Stamford Bridge – a theme that continues to this day – and he immediately succeeded with back-to-back Premier League titles in his first two seasons in West London. Since then, they have won this title twice more, as well as two Champions League titles and numerous domestic cup triumphs.
6. Aston Villa (Titles: 20)
Aston Villa comfortably sits in sixth place, ahead of Tottenham and Everton. Not many of these 20 major awards have come in the club’s recent history, although Unai Emery seems like he could bring success to Villa Park in the near future.
Some modern fans may not know that the Villans lifted the European Cup in 1982. This puts them on par with continental success with Manchester City and ahead of Arsenal in this regard. Villa is a giant club with a long history, boasting 7 First Division titles, the most recent being in 1981.
7. Tottenham Hotspur (Titles: 17)
Tottenham often becomes the butt of jokes for rival fans due to their lack of recent success. The last time a major trophy was brought to the North London white-clad team was in 2008 when Jonathan Woodgate scored the decisive goal in the League Cup final against city rivals Chelsea.
While this may disappoint fans who have endured this drought with players and managers for over 15 years, it also shows how successful the club was before 2008, as Spurs still comfortably sit in the top 10. Most of Tottenham’s 17 titles come from 8 FA Cup victories.
8. Everton (Titles: 15)
Speaking of trophy droughts, Everton hasn’t won any major trophies since 1995. The Merseyside club won the FA Cup at the end of the 1994/95 season but hasn’t really come close to adding to their 15 titles on many occasions since then. Their loss in the tournament final against Chelsea in 2009 is the most recent failure that the Toffees have faced, even back in 2009.
However, Everton was a notable force in the early decades of the 20th century and again in the 1980s. The club has nine First Division titles to their name, as well as five FA Cups. While they may not have won European cups in their heyday, they did secure a Club World Cup title.
9. Blackburn Rovers (Titles: 10)
Despite enduring over a decade of challenges in English football’s second tier, Blackburn Rovers’ faithful continue to stand by their club, recognizing its enduring legacy as one of the nation’s most successful teams in terms of major honors won throughout its illustrious history.
Rovers were the first team other than Manchester United to win the Premier League, doing so in the 1994/95 season. It was a joyous occasion for the club as Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton provided the goals, but it would also mark the beginning of a downward spiral. There has been no sign of success since that victory almost 30 years ago. Nine major trophies came in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
10. Newcastle (Titles: 10)
Newcastle United also make it into the top 10. It wouldn’t be surprising if The Magpies added to their tally in the coming years thanks to the wealth of their owner. Eddie Howe’s squad came close to adding the EFL Cup to their trophy cabinet, which would have been enough to surpass Blackburn, but a defeat in the final against Man United ended that dream.
Like some other clubs on this list, supporters have hungered for success in recent decades. Newcastle’s last major title was the FA Cup in 1955. That’s over half a century ago, and everyone associated with the Tyneside club is eager for more silverware in the not-too-distant future.
Conclude
In summary, the ranking of English football clubs based on major honors underscores the diverse histories and achievements within the sport. While Liverpool and Manchester United dominate with their extensive trophy hauls, other clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea have also made significant impacts both domestically and in European competitions. Despite recent challenges, teams such as Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Blackburn Rovers, and Newcastle United maintain their place in football lore, driven by their rich legacies and dedicated fanbases. As the landscape of English football continues to evolve, these clubs strive to uphold their traditions while pursuing new successes, ensuring the enduring excitement and passion of the beautiful game.
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